Can music therapy help to improve a negative state of mind? How does music affect you? What does music do for you? Does it help you to relax, make you angry, sad, horny? Yes, music can do all these things at various times in our lives. However, can music aid your mental health?
My journey
This is a question I asked myself about a year ago. When I started this blog and chose to focus on mental health and wellness. I did some research and found that there are many avenues to mental wellness besides medication. I was surprised to know that I had used many of these methods in my own quest to mental health and wellness. One of these avenues is through music.
There were times music would calm me and other times when it would fire me up. For instance, when I found myself despondent and feeling spiritually empty, I would always turn to me favorite worship music. One of my favorite go-to songs to help fill me up is I do Worship by John P. Kee. It always aided me in getting to a place where I could think in a more positive way. Another song is Let My Words Be Few by Phillips, Craig and Dean. (Don’t judge me, I grew up in a predominantly Caucasian church.)
Do Be Do Wop Bop!
My ultimate favorite CD is the self-titled album by Take 6 (AKA Do Be Do Wop Bop). The Take 6 CD holds a special place in my heart due to its sheer awesomeness. There are no instruments playing on the album; these men are creating music from the voices God blessed them with. When I hear the notes and the arrangement and the genius of these men, I have to thank God. When listening to Take 6, it is almost like being gently washed over with a flood of water, only the water is unseen musical sounds that seem to pierce me. I can liken it to how cold water would send a shock to some one being washed by it.
I’m amazed at the components of music. If you study it, you can experience the depth of music and why certain musical notes and arrangements bring happiness or sad feelings. Music for me is like swimming in the deepest ocean and experiencing a whole new world.
Song arrangements matter!
Did you know (back when artists came out with albums on a regular) music producers would arrange the songs on the album in such a way so that listener can experience the emotional heights and depth of the music in a specific way. There is a science to which songs get places in 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th place on an album. I studied how they do this in college. There is also a science to the arrangement of how upbeat and slower songs are placed on albums as well.
There is power in music, more power than you can imagine. It has the power to shape a person’s mindset; their desires, wants and ultimately their actions. Music has been used to invoke feelings and can be used to penetrate the subconscious mind.
Do you ever wonder why you can feel happy and upbeat and then you hear a certain song and then you are sad and now thinking about your ex? Or maybe you’ve been uber sad and then you hear the song Happy by Pharrell Williams and then started to joyfully sing along. Where do these melodies and lyrics come from?
Music, words, healing…
I remember telling my brother one day that the Bible is only as powerful as the words captured within it. What good would the Bible be if it were just a book of blank pages? Would anyone care about the Bible if it when you opened it up there were no words inside? No, because what is said (or what is written) is what gives the Bible reverence. Words are spiritual, and we are all speaking spirits. The word of the Bible is so powerful that the scriptures say in Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV):
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
The power of music
Music has a similar affect. In fact, the largest book of the Bible is a collection of psalms or songs. Just like the songs of the Bible can encourage righteousness, other, non-spiritual songs can encourage ratchetness. If you play the song Twerkulator by the City Girls, are you not going twerk? Be honest.
This is why I choose not to listen to R&B, rap or hip hop for years after dedicating my life to God many years ago. These songs made me feel opposite of what I was trying to achieve in my Christian walk. Today when I hear these songs, I hear the words first and the melody second; I am conscious of what the music is telling me and not just bopping my head and singing along. If I do not listen carefully the music will slip into my subconscious and reveal itself at a different time.
And to be completely honest, I still don’t listen to much of today’s music, only old school and gospel. The music today is not about anything, and it all sounds the same.
Music and the black community
There has been a debate in the black community about if hip hop and rap music benefits or harms the community. There are some who say, “It’s only entertainment!” … in my Jay-Z voice. Others say hip hop and rap are used as weapons against the black community.
For many other communities, “black cultured” music is only for entertainment – many of them are not about that life, and don’t want to be. For the black community, however, hip hop and rap are used as weapons against us. Rapping about guns, violence, and debauchery to white children who are raised in a stable, two-parent household, who are middle or upper-class, live in the suburbs, who attend the YMCA and go see there grandparents every other week for family night is not going to have the same effect on black children whose father chose to leave and whose mother has to work two or three jobs to make ends meet, who spend a lot of time alone or without guidance in poor, detached neighborhoods.
In many instances, a person’s stable and safe upbringing can help to buffer against the inferences made through music or other intrusive platforms such as TV. But what happens to a person whose childhood was developed in chaos? Unfortunately, many black families are unstable; over 70% of black children are born out of wedlock (which is an unstable environment), introducing flagrant music to susceptible kids is asking for trouble.
Juice WRLD, a story told too many times
I saw an interview about a year ago with Juice WRLD (discretion advised) on a YouTuber’s channel called “justpablo”. In the interview, that currently has only 300K views, he said that he can remember listening to the rapper Future talk about doing drugs and wanting to do it himself. In this video linked above, Juice WRLD stated (regarding how he started ussing drugs):
“…it was something that I started getting into low key due to music [emphasis mine]. Cause, like I was a music head, so like in six grade [and] seventh grade I’m hearing songs about sipping lean. Those were like the real influential years I feel like, especially for like a boy, finding out who your role models are…Future, Gucci, all these [men] are talking about drugs…when I heard Future’s song Dirty Sprite…[it] had me wanting to sip lean at like eleven twelve years old.”
The interviewer tried to clear up that Future was one of the few who spoke about drugs “realistically” but look at the outcome it created?
Juice WRLD died six days after is 21st birthday due to a seizure induced by acute oxycodone and codeine intoxication. There are many unnamed black children going through this same reality, due to the black culture and black music.
Toxic culture in black American music
What is so interesting is that I recently saw an interview by Revolt last week with Lil Mo, who is an exceptionally talented R&B singer from my generation – she gave us many hits back in the day. (Discretion is strongly advised for this interview, as it includes foul language, drinking and smoking.) In the interview, she talked about the music industry and her drug addiction throughout the years. She spoke about how she met Future at one of his shows and offered to give him opioids (Percocet) but he refused it saying that he could not take it. She thought because he rapped about doing drugs and such that he would not refuse it being offered to him… but not so.
So, here is this man “selling drugs” in his music to susceptible black children (like Jarad Anthony Higgins AKA Juice WRLD) but would not even do them himself. When black children don’t have someone, mainly a male role model, to look up to they find anyone, even if that person is selling them poison.
But it does not stop there.
Do unto others as you would have them do to you…
What do you think spiritually will happen as a result of this? Do you think Future will go scot-free for what he is promoting in his music? There is always a sowing and reaping. Future shouldn’t be surprised if his on sons or daughters end up on drugs or lead a life of debauchery like he did/does – and so the cycle continues. Generational curses are still a real thing and what you do will come back on you, especially if you are in a position to lead the masses.
Proverbs 26:27 (NKJV): Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.
Psalm 7:15-16 (NKJV): He made a pit and dug it out, and has fallen into the ditch which he made. His trouble shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down on [a]his own crown.
I say all of this to say there is power in music, whether for good or for bad.
Psychological benefits of listening to music
I’ve used music to help me: focus at work, concentrate on an exam, through a time of grieving and calm my anxious thoughts. I’ve gravitated to music on my own, without searching out this knowledge because it naturally helped me, but music therapy is actually a field of study.
So, what exactly is music therapy? Before we dive into it, let’s talk about some benefits you can receive from just listening to music. Some research suggests that it might even make you healthier. Music can be a source of pleasure and contentment, but there are many other psychological benefits as well. Music can relax the mind, energize the body, and even help people better manage pain.
Here are 10 benefits to listening to music:
- Music Can Improve Cognitive Performance
- Music Can Reduce Stress
- Music Can Help You Eat Less
- Music Can Improve Your Memory
- Music Can Help Manage Pain
- Music May Help You Sleep Better
- Music Can Improve Motivation
- Music Can Improve Mood
- Music May Reduce Symptoms of Depression
- Music Can Improve Endurance and Performance
Fun fact: music does not always need words to make a person feel one way or the other. Studies show that classical and drum percussion style music helps to bolster mental health. The notes and rhythm can speak on their own. Instead of thinking of music as pure entertainment, consider some of the major mental benefits of incorporating music into your everyday life. You might find that you feel more motivated, happy, and relaxed as a result.
Music therapy and how it can help
According to Verywellmind.com music therapy is a therapeutic approach that uses the natural mood-lifting properties of music to help people improve their mental health and overall wellbeing. This form of treatment can be helpful for people with depression and anxiety and may help improve the quality of life for people physical health problems.
There are a variety of approaches established in music therapy, including:
- Analytical music therapy: Analytical music therapy encourages you to use an improvised, musical “dialogue” through singing or playing an instrument to express your unconscious thoughts, which you can reflect on and discuss with your therapist afterward.
- Benenzon music therapy: This format combines some concepts of psychoanalysis with the process of making music. Benenzon music therapy includes the search for your “musical sound identity,” which describes the external sounds that most closely match your internal psychological state.
- Cognitive behavioral music therapy (CBMT): This approach combines cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with music. In CBMT, music is used to reinforce some behaviors and modify others. This approach is structured, not improvisational, and may include listening to music, dancing, singing, or playing an instrument.
- Community music therapy: This format is focused on using music as a way to facilitate change on the community level. It’s done in a group setting and requires a high level of engagement from each member.
- Nordoff-Robbins music therapy: Also called creative music therapy, this method involves playing an instrument (often a cymbal or drum) while the therapist accompanies using another instrument. The improvisational process uses music as a way to help enable self-expression.
- The Bonny method of guided imagery and music (GIM): This form of therapy uses classical music as a way to stimulate the imagination. In this method, you explain the feelings, sensations, memories, and imagery you experience while listening to the music.
- Vocal psychotherapy: In this format, you use various vocal exercises, natural sounds, and breathing techniques to connect with your emotions and impulses. This practice is meant to create a deeper sense of connection with yourself.
Where can you experience music therapy?
Sessions with a music therapist take place wherever they practice, which might be a:
- Clinic
- Community health center
- Correctional facility
- Hospital
- Private office
- Physical therapy practice
- Rehabilitation facility
Physical and mental wellness benefits from music therapy
Music therapy has shown to help people who suffer from physical and mental illnesses, such as:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Anxiety or stress
- Autism
- Cardiac conditions
- Chronic pain
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Difficulties with verbal and nonverbal communication
- Emotional dysregulation
- Feelings of low self-esteem
- Headaches
- Impulsivity
- Negative mood
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Problems related to childbirth
- Rehabilitation after an injury or medical procedure
- Respiration problems
- Substance use disorders
- Surgery-related issues
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Trouble with movement or coordination
Overall music therapy can increase positive feelings like: Calmness, euphoria, confidence and empowerment and emotional intimacy.
Music therapy for depression and anxiety
Although there are many studies that provide evidence that music helps those with depression and anxiety, most studies cite that more research is needed. Further, it is important to note that certain types of music were studied for depression and anxiety, including classical, drum percussion and jazz which lead the pack with science backing its effectiveness on mental wellness.
Things to consider
Music therapy has many pros and a few cons. The two cons that I can think of is the propensity for those suffering to want to listen to music that aligns with their feelings. Listening to sad, depressing or violent songs when you are miserable is counterproductive and may produce more of the same feelings. The other reason is the lack of research.
And I’ll add a disclaimer: Although music is powerful in that it can certainly help someone struggling with mental illness, it is not an “end all, be all,” meaning it is not meant to cure any specific diseases or serious mental health issues. If you are interested in learning more about music therapy, please talk to your mental health care professional or find a music therapist near you.
I hope you consider opening yourself to music that will help you in your journey to mental wellness. Do yourself a favor and find out what songs help you and start listening today. It will help get you going in the right direction.